South Africa dive holidays
Aliwal Shoal
Rated consistently as one of the world’s Top 10 dive sites.
Aliwal Shoal lies off the coast of Umkomaas, a sleepy little town on the East coast and only a short drive south of Durban’s King Shaka International Airport.
An adventurous river mouth and surf launch takes you to, arguably, South Africa’s ‘shark capital’ . From May to November ragged tooth sharks congregate, gliding under overhangs, through caves and across the reef in numbers; a diver digging in the sand will often reveal some souvenir teeth. All-year-round dozens of black tips and the majestic tiger populate the area not to mention large brindle, potato bass, bull, hammerhead, dusky and many turtles.
Topographically fascinating with giant potholes, towering spires, caves, overhangs, walls and sand ripple sections the underwater landscape makes up an incredible underwater dive holiday destination. An added attraction off the northern point is the wreck of the ‘Produce’, which sank in 1974 and is now home to a couple of very large brindle bass.
Flights & Transfers
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The reef inhabitants include the large brindle, potato bass, bull, hammerhead, dusky, guitar and white tip sharks, a variety of rays and eels, schools of tropical fish, leafy scorpion fish and many turtles.
Where to stay
Expertly selected accommodation choices, close to the underwater action.
Agulhas House & Diving
Agulhas House is home to world famous reef system of the Aliwal Shoal in Umkomaas. A warm welcome awaits scuba divers and shark enthusiasts.
Star Rating: Guest House
Number of Rooms: 14
Distance to dive centre: 1 mile
Distance to Airport: 30 mins by car
Blue Ocean Dive Resort
This hotel is the ’Grand Old Dame’ of the small seaside village of Umkomaas. Built in 1934, it has been restored to its original colonial glory.
Star Rating: 4*
Number of Rooms: 30
Distance to dive centre: onsite
Distance to Airport: 30 mins by car
Our Safe Payment Guarantee
Diverse Travel is a Member of the Travel Trust Association (TTA), part of The Travel Network Group. This means that when you book your holiday with us, we give you a guarantee that 100% of your money is protected against our or our suppliers’ failure, under our ATOL.
Ask our dive experts
Because we’re not a mass tourism company, you’ll get a highly personalised service. Think of us as your personal travel consultant – don’t be shy, ask us for anything and leave the rest to us.
Offers
RED SEA DIVING
LIVEABOARD OFFER
26 February – 05 March 2026
NOW from JUST £1165pp
INDONESIA DIVING
BUNAKEN RESORT OFFER
27 February – 07 March 2026
NOW from JUST £3795pp
RED SEA DIVING
LIVEABOARD OFFER
06 – 13 March 2026
NOW from JUST £1099pp
CARIBBEAN DIVING
LIVEABOARD OFFER
09 – 19 May 2026
NOW from JUST £1750pp
INDONESIA DIVING
BALI RESORT OFFER
12 – 20 May 2026
NOW from JUST £1550pp
MALDIVES DIVING
LIVEABOARD OFFER
05 – 13 September 2026
NOW from JUST £2250pp
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